• CMAA, CVA, CPCT, NRST, and CLLRT EXAM UPDATES + NEW RMHT EXAM GOING LIVE FEBRUARY 2027 •
National Certification Exam Updates
Beginning in February 2027, American Allied Health will introduce meaningful updates to our certification exam portfolio, with five existing certification exams being updated and one new certification exam for Mental Health Technician being introduced. These updates are designed to ensure our exams continue to reflect the knowledge, skills, and expectations of today's healthcare workforce and the realities of the workplace.
As part of this ongoing process, the AAH Board of Examiners plays an important role in evaluating exam content for validity, relevance, and alignment with current industry standards. Comprised of experienced healthcare professionals and subject-matter experts, the Board helps assess whether exam questions accurately measure the competencies professionals need in practice - not simply their ability to recall information. Together, these efforts reinforce AAH's commitment to providing credible, relevant, and career-focused certifications that are grounded in real-world healthcare practice.
The Certified Medical Admin Assistant (CMAA), Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA), Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), Nationally Registered Surgical Technician (NRST), and Certified Limited Licensed Radiology Technologist (CLLRT) exams will be updated beginning in February 2027, along with the launch of the new Registered Mental Health Technician (RMHT) exam.
View the complete 2027 Exam Content Updates (PDF) for the full topical breakdown and competency weightings for each exam.
Highlights: Key Competency Updates by Certification Exam |
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Medical Admin Assistant Certification (CMAA)Patient Scheduling
Patient Intake
Legal & Ethical Compliance
Medical Office Policies & Procedures
Office Logistics
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Veterinary Assistant Certification (CVA)Front Desk and Client Procedures
Safe Animal Restraint and Animal Behavior
Animal Husbandry, Infection Control and Safety
Basic and Preventative Animal Health
Veterinary Diagnostics and Laboratory Skills
Veterinary Pharmacology
Common Diagnoses and Treatment
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Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT)Law, Ethics, and Professionalism
EKG
Patient Care
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Surgical Technician Certification (NRST)Medicolegal Aspects of Surgical Technology
Environmental Hazards
Microbes and the Process of Infection Control
Moving, Handling, and Positioning the Surgical Patient
Perioperative Pharmacology
Note: Regulation of drugs, substances, and delivery; unit systems of measurement; and prescription and drug orders have been removed. General Surgery and Specialty Surgery
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Limited Radiology Certification (CLLRT)The Framework of Radiographic Equipment
Introduction to Anatomical Positioning
Image Acquisition & Evaluation
Drug Administration
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Registered Mental Health Technician (RMHT)Core Competency Areas
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Who Is Impacted?
What This Means for Testing Partners
Educators and training programs should review the updated KSAs to ensure classroom and lab instruction prepare students for these new exam elements. Updated topical study guides and a detailed Premium Study Guide* will be available in the AAH Partner Dashboard ahead of spring testing.
* Premium Study Guide available on select exams
What This Means for Students Already Registered
If you are scheduled to take an updated exam on or after the February 2027 launch, you'll be tested on the updated KSAs. Updated topical study guides and practice exams will be available immediately once launched. If you register after the updates are launched, you get immediate access to those tools so you can study effectively.
Updated Study Resources
We've updated our study resources to reflect the new exam structure to help both teachers and students prepare.
- Updated Topical Study Guide & Practice Exams – Free with exam registration, providing aligned content and unlimited practice opportunities.
- Updated Premium Study Guide – Available for purchase ($39), offering in-depth content, practice questions, and strategies to simplify exam prep.
Why Choose the Premium Study Guide?
The Premium Study Guide is crafted to:
- Simplify complex concepts.
- Align with AAH’s practice exam material.
- Offer actionable insights to build confidence for test day.
Educators can access the updated guides through their Partner Dashboard, while students will find them in their AAH accounts once registered. Please refer to the resources in your account for the most up-to-date information.
Start Preparing Today
AAH is here to support educators, partners, and students every step of the way. Ensure your students are ready for the 2027 Exam Updates by accessing updated study resources, scheduling spring testing, and reinforcing the latest competencies in your classroom.
Educators: Log in to your Partner Dashboard for updated guides.
Students: Register now to access updated study materials. You can log in here.
Testing Partners: Contact us for additional support and Premium Study Guide access codes.
Your students' success starts here. Equipping them with the tools to pass their exams helps them step confidently into their healthcare careers. Ready to take the next step? Register for your exam today.